Telegram’s Durov slams Spain’s teen tech lockdown as a blow to personal freedom
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has sharply criticized the Spanish government’s recent initiative that would ban children under 16 from using social media, warning that measures presented as child protection could undermine freedom of speech and user privacy.
Read also: Code, power, and exile: The untold story of Pavel Durov and Telegram.
In a recent post, Durov said the proposed regulations could turn Spain «into a surveillance state.»
Criminal liability and censorship
Durov also objected to plans that could impose criminal liability on platform managers who fail to promptly remove content deemed «illegal or harmful.»
He warned that such rules would encourage platforms to remove any controversial material to avoid punishment.
«This will force over-censorship […], silencing political dissent, journalism, and everyday opinions,» he said.
Algorithms under government control
Telegram CEO further criticized proposals to penalize platforms for allegedly «amplifying harmful content» through recommendation algorithms.
According to him, such measures could allow governments to influence what users see and shape a more politically convenient information environment.
Background
Spain’s Council of Ministers is expected to approve a ban on social media use by children under 16 early this week.
Notably, Meta has already blocked the Facebook and Instagram accounts of more than 500,000 Australian children following the country’s new law. Similar restrictions are under discussion in France, Britain, Italy and Canada.
